What to look for on a label

Currently there is no universal vegan symbol for vegan beauty products, but there is an app for that! Use the ‘Animal-Free’ app to check ingredients. This app allows you to view ingredients that are always and/or sometimes animal derived. You can also scan a product’s barcode from your phone to see whether it contains animal derived or plant derived products. PETA has made an effort to educate consumers through their Beauty Without Bunnies program. You can also find a searchable online database to look up cruelty-free products and companies.

Cruelty-free however, does not necessarily mean it’s a vegan product. Always read your labels and look for the cruelty-free bunny with the words “cruelty-free and vegan” below the emblem.

Why go vegan?

Using vegan beauty products is beneficial to your health and beauty regimen. Vegan products simply contain fewer ingredients, and the ingredients that products do include tend to be better for your health and the environment.

Birds of a Feather…

Most vegan product companies use 100% naturally organic ingredients and package their products in recycled materials. So not only will you promote your health but you’ll be much more environmentally responsible!

Vegan is Cheaper

There are countless ways to save money by making your own beauty products at home. For example, a sea salt, olive oil and essential oil mixture becomes a vegan body scrub with ingredients you may already own, saving you money. Not to mention saving the environment from harmful testing and your skin from harmful additives and fragrances.

Vegan Makeup

Looking for some vegan makeup? Try Obsessive Complusive Cosemtics (OCC). This 100% Vegan and Cruelty-free company offers everything from pigments, lip tars and nail lacquers to concealers, and foundations. OCC’s products are also carmine free which is a popular beetle-derived ingredient found in numerous cruelty-free products.

Vegan Skincare

For skincare try St. Ives Sensitive Skin Apricot Scrub or any other St. Ives product that reads: “Does not contain animal ingredients” on its label. One common animal-derived hair product ingredient is cetyl alcohol. Some vegan alternatives are vegetable cetyl alcohol (e.g., coconut) or synthetic spermaceti.

Vegan Ingredients

You may be surprised that some of the products you already use are vegan. For example jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive-oil and avocado oil. These oils are plant-derived and great to help moisturize and seal the hair’s cuticle. Buyer beware! There are a plethora of products, especially oils that claim to be 100% vegan. The ingredients listed however may read a completely different story. Always read those labels!

Friendly Suggestion: If you decide to use vegan beauty products, donate (don’t trash) the gently used or unopened beauty products you no longer want!